Weaving weekend

I know...you've seen this before. But not really. This is the second 10 footer, the other one is in the box already. Jinx approves. She is catching on with the work load around here.
I will tell you what a lousy business woman I am.
I quoted the customer a price on this order, based on the size of the rugs. I knew that she was sending me a rug to copy, but I 'assumed' that it was just a regular rug, and that it was the colors she wanted me to see.
NOT QUITE.
The pattern was unlike anything I had ever seen. I spent a lot of time figuring it out, and even more time weaving it.
Today, when I talked on the phone to the lady that ordered them, she was excited to get the rugs, and excited that I could reproduce them. I explained a bit of what it entailed, and she offered to pay me more. She said she didn't want me to have to do the extra work without being compensated for it.
I said no, but thanks. After all, a quote is a quote. I should have waited til I saw the rug she wanted me to use as a pattern. I chalk it up to a lesson learned. I will pay more attention next time.
And more, I enjoyed the challenge. I got a rush from figuring it out, and making it happen.
When my husband saw them, I asked him,"Can you believe I figured it out?" I was quite amazed myself.
He said, "I knew you would not rest until you did. I am not surprised at all."
What a guy.
Now I am going to make some smaller ones for the shop. I just love the pattern repeat.
OK, I promise not to show you this rug again.
Can I show you the smaller ones I am going to make????

Weaving weekend went by lickety split. They always do. We ate well, because we worked up an appetite.
This is just a simple salad, but isn't it pretty?

In between teaching, I have time to do small chores, while my students are engaged in tasks I have directed them to do.
So I took some pictures of my latest lodge rugs.

If you haven't guessed by now, there is no rhyme nor reason.
I pick colors that appeal to me at the moment, and that is the rug that is born.
I don't count rows, or measure stripes, or pre-choose my colors.
Nope, not me.
I weave exactly what I want.

I like being spontaneous, and having fun.
It doens't hurt that I have about 2500 lbs of colors to choose from.
This is Gary, and his wife Penny. They were great students, and they had a great time.
They were a real pleasure to have as guests for the weekend.

I am always asked if I am nervous about the weaving weekends, because I might get people who are not so nice, or totally annoying, or somehow not very pleasant.
I must say, I have had only good experiences.
It seems that people who want to learn to weave, are somewhat educated, open minded, and curious. They are excited to be at the studio, and it is amazing to see them looking dazed at first, and then watch their faces, as it all comes together.
When they take that first rug off the loom, they are in awe.
My routine answer is: "I told you it wasn't rocket science."
Helpful, aren't I?
Honestly, every time I do a weaving weekend, I realize how teaching people about what I do, makes me better at it.
I don't know why that is true, but it is.

And Miss Puss, and Kizzy, and Jinx made sure to spend some time with our guests.
And Miss Puss showed them her stuff, which she does so well.

Shake it girl, you got it!!!!

And I am beat. I am very tired, but in a nice way.
And the studio will go back to its normal, until the next weaving weekend.